i was born in kuwait to egyptian parents. my father was a religious scholar who studied and graduated at a university in cairo, an islamic institution of great distinction and learning. he was sent to this country to head a growing muslim community. he was active in what was called the ecumenical movement, working on understanding between different religions. today, we call it interfaith dialogue. for me, coming from a country where the mother did -- for the majority was muslim, i found this place largely non-religion. in the 1960's, religion was considered to be passe, a crutch for the feeble-minded. i remember the cover-up "time magazine" that scream out "is god dead?" this was shocking to me, extraordinary. and i thought to myself, this place is sure different. i got my bachelor's in physics at columbia university. i married, raised my children here, and i had a number of occupations, a high-school teacher, a salesman of industrial products, and a struggling writer. i am a typical new yorker, ladies and gentlemen. i am an